Strawberry plant named &#39;Merced&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Merced’ is a short-day (June bearing) type cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Merced’ is similar to ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), but with greater productivity, higher quality fruit, less vigorous plant, and lighter colored fruit. It is also similar to ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and ‘Benicia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,542) but having a more compact plant, later fruiting, superior fruit quality, and firmer, better flavored fruit.

GENUS AND SPECIES

The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The variety denomination is ‘Merced’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivar designated as ‘Merced’. The new cultivar was the result of a cross performed in 2007 between two unreleased germplasm accessions, Cal 3.92-8 (unpatented) and Cal 2.95-4 (unpatented). Accession Cal 3.92-8 was chosen as a parent due to its very high productivity, large, firm, and high quality fruit, and very high plant vigor. Accession Cal 2.95-4 was chosen as a parent due to its compact plant habit and firm, flavorful fruit.

‘Merced’ was first fruited at an experimental orchard near Winters, Calif., in 2008, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 7.132-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘C229’. It was later designated ‘Merced’ for introduction into commerce and for international registration and recognition. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at facilities in Watsonville, Calif., in Irvine, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2009. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Merced’ is a short-day (June bearing) type cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Merced’ is similar to ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), but with greater productivity, higher quality fruit, less vigorous plant, and lighter colored fruit. It is also similar to ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and ‘Benicia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,542) but having a more compact plant, later fruiting, superior fruit quality, and firmer, better flavored fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Merced’ cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows two typical leafs at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of representative mid-season fruit.

FIG. 5 shows a top-view of representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘Merced’ is typical of short-day strawberry cultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. The production pattern for ‘Merced’ is similar to that for ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708), although it is somewhat later to initiate fruiting with most cultural treatments. ‘Merced’ initiates fruiting substantially later than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and ‘Benicia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,542) when established in very early fall. ‘Merced’ will be of special interest for winter plantings, where ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Benicia’ have been successful, and in summer plantings where ‘Chandler’ (U. S. Plant Pat. No. 5,262) and ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) have been successful.

Plants and foliage:

With most cultural treatments, fruiting plants of ‘Merced’ are more open and erect that any of the comparison cultivars, and somewhat smaller than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Benicia’ throughout most of the production season. ‘Merced’ plants are similar in size to ‘Camarosa’ in most production environments. Comparative statistics of foliar characteristics near mid-season are given for ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Merced’ are smaller than any of the comparison cultivars, and are less elongated than ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Ventana’. Further, leaves (including petioles) for ‘Merced’ are slightly shorter than for ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’, and substantially shorter than for ‘Benicia’. Petioles for ‘Merced’ are generally longer and thinner than those of the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Merced’ are similar in color to ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Benicia’, and darker and less yellow than ‘Ventana’ leaves at mid-season. Leaves of ‘Merced’ have consistently more concavity than ‘Camarosa’, and are similar to those for ‘Ventana’. Serrations at mid-season are more pointed than for ‘Benicia’, but similar in shape and number to ‘Ventana’ and ‘Camarosa’.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘Merced’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Benicia’. Cultivar Foliar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Benicia’ ‘Merced’ Plant height (mm) mean 227 277 245 261 range 190-320 250-300 220-260 240-290 Plant spread (mm) mean 368 425 414 374 range 300-465 375-525 360-500 335-400 Mid-tier leaflet Length (mm) mean 85 89 80 76 range 70-95 80-110 70-90 70-80 Width (mm) mean 79 77 80 77 range 65-90 70-90 75-80 70-80 Mid-tier leaf Length (mm) mean 120 118 128 114 range 110-140 100-140 110-150 90-140 Width (mm) mean 143 153 161 141 range 120-170 140-160 150-180 120-160 Leaf components Petiole length (mm) mean 110 113 136 163 range 90-150 80-120 110-160 140-180 Petiole diameter (mm) mean 3.6 5.3 4.9 4.2 range 3-4 4-7 4-6 3-5 Petiolule length (mm) mean 5.1 6.9 5.3 8.1 range 4-6 6-8 4-6 7-9 # leaflets/leaf 3 3 3, rarely 4 or 5 3 Leaf convexity most flat to flat to very flat to flat to slight concave concave concave concave Serrations number/leaf 20.8 20.6 20.5 21.0 range 19-23 18-25 18-23 19-24 shape semi-pointed semi-pointed Round to semi-pointed semi-pointed Leaf pubescence light- moderate- moderate- moderate- moderate heavy light heavy Petiole pubescence density heavy moderate- heavy moderate- heavy heavy direction perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular perpendicular to acropetal Petiole color (Munsell) Stipule length (mm) 2.5 GY 8/9 7.5 GY 9/4 7.5 GY 8/10 7.5 GY 8/7 mean 27.2 24.0 31.1 25.1 range 20-34 20-30 25-40 18-29 Stipule color core 2.5 Y 6/8 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 Y 9/4 2.5 GY 8/8 margins 7.5 Y 6/7 5 GY 8/8 5 GY 8/8 5 GY 8/8 Stolon base diameter (mm) 11.7 15.2 16.5 10.3 Stolons per nursery mother 22.7 18.8 22.9 12.1 plant Venation pattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnate color 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 9/4 7.5 GY 8/7 5 GY 8/8 Disease and pest reaction:

‘Merced’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), but is moderately susceptible to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), and susceptible to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae). It is resistant to Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table 2). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that of the comparison cultivars. ‘Merced’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 2 Disease resistance scores for ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars; Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained in evaluations conducted in between 2011-2012; Colletotrichum was evaluated in 2009. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance Score Resistance Score Resistance Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 = best) ‘Camarosa’ 3.6 3.1 2.9 ‘Ventana’ 2.5 3.1 3.2 ‘Benicia’ 3.8 1.6 2.6 ‘Merced’ 5.0 2.8 2.9 Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:

‘Merced’ is similar to other California short-day strawberry cultivars (e. g. ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Benicia’) in that it will flower over an extended period and into spring or summer, given appropriate local temperature and horticultural conditions. With most planting treatments ‘Merced’ produces fruit later than ‘Ventana’ and ‘Benicia’ but earlier than ‘Camarosa’. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for the four cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Merced’ are similar in size to ‘Camarosa’, with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit. The flowers are smaller than for ‘Benicia’ and ‘Ventana’. The calyx for ‘Merced’ varies in position but frequently has a slight indent early in the season. Each primary flower has 6-7 petals, similar to the comparison cultivars on average. The fruit shape for ‘Merced’ can vary but is typically medium to long conic, which is rarely flattened or slightly obovate. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Camarosa’ (shortened and flattened conic), or ‘Ventana’ (medium symmetrical conic), and ‘Benicia’ (often flattened). External and internal fruit color for ‘Merced’ is lighter than that of ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Benicia’, and similar to that of ‘Ventana’ (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly extruded.

‘Merced’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those of ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Benicia’ are used. In general, plants of ‘Merced’ are similar in vigor to ‘Camarosa’, and less vigorous than ‘Ventana’ with very early season planting. ‘Merced’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Merced’ has larger fruit and produces individual-plant yields greater than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). Commercial appearance ratings have also been better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially in comparison with ‘Camarosa’. Fruit from ‘Merced’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Ventana’, but similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Merced’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home gardening purposes.

TABLE 3 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars. Cultivar Color Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Benicia’ ‘Merced’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 38.3 39.2 35.0 37.9 range 37.3-39.8 36.0-41.1 33.3-36.4 35.1-39.2 a* mean −12.2 −14.3 −11.7 −13.5 range −9.5-15.5 −12.9-16.7 −10.3-13.5 −10.9-15.8 b* mean 16.9 20.6 16.9 18.1 range 13.3-19.9 17.3-24.8 13.1-21.7 14.6-20.6 Munsell 5 GY 5/5 2.5 GY 6/8 5 GY 5/6 5 GY 5/6 Abaxial L* mean 52.5 53.2 48.5 50.2 range 51.3-54.6 51.8-54.6 41.7-52.3 40.0-53.8 a* mean −13.1 −14.2 −13.5 −14.0 range −11.4-14.9  −13.9-14.7  −11.9-16.8  −12.9-15.7  b* mean 20.5 21.7 20.0 21.3 range 18.9-22.4 20.3-23.3 17.9-21.9 19.1-23.8 Munsell 7.5 GY 8/7 10 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 5/7 10 GY 8/7 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 38.6 38.1 36.0 36.9 range 34.7-42.7 37.6-39.0 34.2-37.5 35.3-39.0 a* mean 34.4 33.4 31.2 33.0 range 33.6-36.2 29.4-38.7 26.6-36.3 30.1-35.1 b* mean 22.5 19.2 14.2 16.7 range 18.8-29.3 17.8-21.1 10.6-17.3 14.2-18.5 Munsell 7.5 R 4/11 5 R 4/12 2.5 R 4/0 5 R 3/7 Internal L* mean 50.2 48.6 44.0 52.1 range 46.6-53.3 46.2-52.3 40.8-47.0 45.5-56.6 a* mean 30.8 28.9 30.9 24.1 range 25.6-35.4 23.5-33.0 27.8-33.6 17.9-33.5 b* mean 30.1 31.3 27.5 29.8 range 28.0-32.0 30.6-32.5 24.6-28.8 25.2-33.5 Munsell 7.5 R 5/13 7.5 R 6/13 5 R 4/2 7.5 R 6/12 Achene color 2.5 Y 7/10 10 Y 8/11 5 R 3/7 5 R 3/7 Munsell

TABLE 4 Flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars. Cultivar Character ‘Camarosa’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Benicia’ ‘Merced’ Petal number mean 5.8 6.2 6.1 5.9 range 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 Petal shape apex truncate to truncate to truncate to truncate to slightly slightly slightly slightly base obtuse obtuse obtuse obtuse margin attenuate attenuate attenuate attenuate entire entire entire entire Petal length (mm) mean 11.5 13.3 11.7 13.6 range 10-13 11-15 8-13 10-15 Petal width (mm) mean 12.0 14.6 14.4 14.9 range 10-14 13-16 8-13 12-16 Flower position most even even to even to even to (relative to foliage) some exposed exposed exposed exposed Calyx diam. (mm) mean 40.4 47.0 50.8 39.1 range 33-47 40-50 47-53 33-45 Corolla diam. (mm) mean 26.1 39.0 39.6 27.4 range 23-31 35-45 39-41 24-31 Sepal length (mm) mean 14.3 16.6 16.4 13.5 range 12-18 14-19 13-20 10-17 Sepal width (mm) mean 8.3 8.4 8.4 8.0 range 7-10 7-10 7-10 6-9 Sepal color (Munsell) 5 GY 7/10 5 GY 5/5 10 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 4/4 Pedicel length (mm) mean 155 115 183 185 range 130-180 90-140 150-210 150-220 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 2.7 3.5 3.7 3.5 range 2-4 3-4 3-5 2-5 Pedicel color 7.5 GY 8/7 5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 8/9 2.5 GY 9/8 Fruit shape Fruit length (mm) mean 46.0 48.4 46.5 52.3 range 40-48 47-52 41-52 49-62 Fruit width (mm) mean 37.4 42.6 42.4 47.4 range 33-46 40-46 36-46 43-54 Length/width ratio 1.26 1.17 1.08 1.15 range 1.0-1.4 1.1-1.2 1.0-1.2 1.0-1.2 subjective Obovate-flat Medium Medium Medium-long conic conic conic Primary/secondary fruit comparison size (subjective) 50-70% 55-75% 55-65% 60-75% shape similar similar shape similar shape similar shape shape, more conic Extent/size of hollow core small-absent Small small-absent small-absent Calyx position indented- indent- even-indented even-reflexed neck reflexed size relative to fruit equal or less equal or less equal or equal or than fruit than fruit greater than greater than diameter diameter fruit diameter fruit diameter Seed position indented- mostly even even-indented even-extruded extruded Adherence of Calyx to Fruit Weak Intermediate Weak Weak

Flower and plant measurements were obtained in April 2012. Fruit measurements were obtained in between May 10-20, 2012.

TABLE 5 Performance of ‘Merced’ and three comparison cultivars were evaluated in Watsonville, CA, in between 2010-12. All plants for these trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CA, in between October 15-16, and transplanted after 6-7 days to supplemental storage. Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the last week of August. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). Appearance Fruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit) Firmness ‘Camarosa’ 1,960 2.9 28.5 11.7 ‘Ventana’ 2,112 3.2 31.3 10.4 ‘Benicia’ 1,959 3.5 34.2 11.1 ‘Merced’ 2,339 4.3 35.0 11.9 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein. 